About us

Our story

Creating creative writing opportunities

Young people need a space to explore their talents, create and to write with confidence.Dr Emma Newport

In March 2017, Dr Emma Newport initiated the first ever Sussex Writes creative writing workshop. Working with three English and Drama undergraduates, Sally Slidel, Kara Cole-Rajotte and Maisie Ormrod, Emma and her team pioneered a pilot creative writing programme in schools.
With the support of Beacon Academy’s now Head of English, Dr Mark Fairbanks, our creative writing workshop invited GCSE students at Beacon Academy to develop
surprising and unique narratives and to experiment with their approaches to writing.
After the success of our first workshop, with funding from the University of Sussex’s Widening Participation fund, we now run events throughout the year. Working in collaboration with the University of Sussex, East Sussex Music, Glyndebourne Opera and
a huge number of local schools, our undergraduate and postgraduate students enjoy the chance to work with primary and secondary school students, collaborate with professionals.
With our innovative workshops, enthusiastic student tutors and our passion for creativity, we want to inspire the next generation of writers in Sussex.
If you would like to join our Sussex Writes creative writing team, or have your school apply to receive workshops
University of Sussex, please email Dr Emma Newport e.newport@sussex.ac.uk

In 2016, Dr Emma Newport had a mission to enrich young people’s ability in creative writing and students experience at University. She believed that young people need a space to explore their talents, create and to write with confidence.

Today, Sussex Writes is a transformative student-led creative writing programme working with over twenty-five schools in East and West Sussex. We want to help young people across Sussex to be creative and to inspire passionate writing.

Our interactive workshops focus on generating an environment for students to experience confidence in their writing and to explore their ideas.
With our innovative workshops, enthusiastic student tutors and our passion for creativity, we want to inspire the next generation of writers in Sussex.